Sustainability Update

Take Action: Water Conservation

Wednesday, Mar. 5, 2014

Rather than clean sidewalks and driveways with a hose, consider sweeping them instead. This reduces the amount of water usually used for cleaning. Also try to limit pre-rinsing your dishes before you load the dishwasher, and be sure you only turn on your dishwasher when it’s full. Learn about water-wise gardening at the Forge Garden this month. The Forge Garden is offering two water-wise gardening workshops on March 8th and 29th. Participants will learn about drought-tolerant landscaping as well as efficient water use (and re-use) for backyard gardens. RSVP here.

Household graywater is water leftover from dishwashing, showers, sinks, and washing machines. Though it isn’t potable, it can be reused for watering plants in the home or in a garden. Try placing a tub or bucket in your shower to catch water as your shower heats up. Or, place a tub in your sink to catch dishwater. The Santa Clara Valley Water District is currently offering rebates for household graywater washing machine systems. View more water-saving rebates.

The average consumption of water in a household of 4 members is 300 gallons per week. Share ideas with peers about water conserving behaviors…. and recycle them, again and again. As a starting point, you, family, and friends can calculate your Water Footprint with National Geographic’s informative online tool. For ideas regarding water conservation, visit saveourh2o.org, a great resource by the Association of California Water Agencies, and pledge Campus Recreation’s Hoofprint Challenge for water.

Respect the “interconnectedness of food and water throughout Santa Clara Valley’s long history.” Visit the de Saisset Museum’s “Sip. Do Not Gulp” exhibit, by Bay Area artist Michele Guieu, on display until March 16. The mural, documentary video, and symbolic rug illustrate the usage of water in the Valley during agricultural development, increased population, and urban sprawl, as well as the paramount impact of water to the region’s food: Without water, there is no food.